Canucks 2, Oilers 1

Associated Press

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -The Edmonton Oilers were short-handed and struggling. The Vancouver Canucks knew better than to take them lightly.

Daniel Sedin had a goal and an assist as the Canucks extended the Oilers' losing streak to 11 games with a 2-1 victory Monday night.

"We knew they were going to be working hard and we had our hands full getting the two points," Sedin said. "I don't think you could say they have been outplayed the last 10 games."

Trevor Linden also scored for the Canucks, who have won three straight and eight of their last 10 to move three points ahead of idle Minnesota for first place in the Northwest Division.

"It was a tough game and we deserved the two points," Sedin said. "We had a game in hand on Minnesota, so it was key to get the win tonight."

Raffi Torres scored for injury-plagued Edmonton, which tied the 1993-94 team's record for consecutive losses. The Oilers, who are missing 10 players, earned a point in an overtime loss to St. Louis on Saturday, but are three losses short of their franchise-record 14-game winless streak - also set during the 1993-94 season.

"We played the best game tonight that we have played in a long time," Shawn Horcoff said. "But to come away with the same result again leaves you dejected."

Edmonton is also winless in 10 games since the deadline deal of forward Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders.

"There are nine games left and we have to keep a positive outlook," Horcoff said. "I guess I'd rather see us lose games trying to make plays and things happen than being tentative out there. Tonight was a step in the right direction."

With the game tied at 1, the Canucks took the lead 7:03 into the second period on Sedin's goal. Dwayne Roloson allowed a big rebound on a kick save on Mattias Ohlund's shot and Henrik Sedin found his brother waiting at the side of the net to chip in his 32nd of the year.

The Oilers took a 1-0 lead just over six minutes in when Torres redirected Horcoff's point shot over Roberto Luongo.

Luongo had 36 saves for his 42nd win of the season, tying him for the league lead with New Jersey's Martin Brodeur.

"It's just a matter of winning hockey games for me and trying to solidify a good spot for the playoffs," Luongo said. "The team is playing well and the playoffs can't come soon enough right now."

Vancouver had a number of prime chances to tie it with a pair of late power plays, but Roloson came up big to keep the Canucks off the board.

Another power play early in the second allowed the Canucks to tie it as Daniel Sedin made a perfect pass through the crease to Linden, who had an easy tap-in.

"It's encouraging but still doesn't get the win for us," Oilers forward Toby Peterson said. "To say we're not frustrated would be a lie. We play to win and we haven't been able to do that. It's been a tough road here."

With five defensemen out, Edmonton was forced to look to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for help, calling up 20-year-old Sebastien Bisaillon on an emergency basis from the Val-d'Or Foreurs for the game.

Kyle Brodziak, another recent emergency call up, was returned to Wilkes-Barre of the AHL before the game as Joffrey Lupul returned after a bout with the flu.

Notes: The Oilers announced they signed a three-year affiliation agreement with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL on Monday. It enables the Oilers to use their own AHL affiliate for the first time since 2004-05. ... Entering the game, 15 different Canucks had scored the team's last 17 goals.